Breast Cancer Awareness Month: essential facts we should all know
October is here, and you know what that means—it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! This is the perfect time to shed some light on this important issue and share some key facts that can help us all stay informed and empowered.
Prevalence: According to the World Health Organization, in 2022 breast cancer caused 670,000 deaths globally. In that same year, breast cancer was the most common cancer in women in 157 countries out of 185. While breast cancer mostly affects women, approximately 0.5 - 1% of breast cancers occur in men.
According to breastcancer.org, in the U.S. approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their life.
Self checking: Regularly performing a breast self exam is an easy way to potentially find signs of breast cancer early, when it is most likely to be successfully treated. Although most medical bodies don’t necessarily mandate formal self checking any more, medical professionals agree that being aware of how your breasts normally look and feel can help you more easily determine if there are any changes that you should be aware of.
Symptoms: According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer can have multiple symptoms including:
A breast lump or thickening that may not necessarily be painful.
Redness or other changes in the skin around the breasts.
Change in the size, shape or appearance of the breast.
Changes in the nipple appearance or the skin surrounding the nipple (areola).
Abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple.
While these symptoms can occur in combination, most people will not experience any symptoms early on, making early detection even more important.
Mammograms: are X-ray pictures of the breast tissue that can help save lives. Mammograms can find signs of breast cancer at an early stage, allowing for a higher chance of successful treatment. Most medical organizations suggest that women should start having annual mammograms at the age of 40. Women at a higher risk of breast cancer should start having mammograms earlier.
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